Muse – Bridging the Gap

Now that the big, nasty election is done, we’re set on a course for the next four years. Good? Bad? That isn’t the topic of this entry. But I’ll tell you what it is about. Bridging the obvious gap currently in existence between the two most prevalent lines of political thinking. The conservative and liberal, red and blue or whatever the latest series of buzzwords for them extend to.

Bush has said, on one hand, that he will reach out toward his previous foes. A good thing to say.. a tactical thing to say. It would be great if he would do that. Yet later I listened to much of his first press conference and his method of speaking and turn of phrase continued to give off the same ‘my way or the highway’ theme. Where he characterizes his views pleasantly, then contrasts anything but as inactivity or capitulation. The sort of anti-intellectual simplicity that raises my hackles and, unfortunately, seems to speak to far too many people.

So tell me now.. what can Bush do to reach out? What should be do? This goes to liberals, conservatives and everyone in between. Assuming, of course, you think he should reach out, which I’ve seen some don’t. If you don’t think he should reach out, feel free to elaborate on why you think he shouldn’t. Some can even take it down to a personal level. What would Bush have to do to prove to you that he’s reaching out? That he’s willing to work with liberals to get things done?

Personally, I think he should reach out. In part because it would be a magnanimous show of class for him to follow up smartly on such an offer. It would leave no room for complaint from the opposition for one selfish reason that might appeal to him.

What could he do? Well, to show he’s serious, he could be the first to offer some compromises on the more contentious bills that still languish in congress. Like energy policy. Putting a little pressure on republicans in congress to make a few key compromises in the bill to get it passed could show that he’s serious about working with his foes to get through a piece of legislation he harps on constantly as necessary.

He can’t really expect liberals to make the first move, considering their somewhat weakened position. It wouldn’t be smart to make such a move. It never is, in politics or military tactics. He’s gotta make the first move and it is in his best interests to do so, even though I currently doubt he will.

How about you? What do you think on this? Feel free to note me or, if you write an entry on the topic, let me know so I can take a look.

Boxer

November 16, 2004

I am trying to avoid a lot of politics on my OD, but I will say here that Bush is wrong to reach out and compromise. He is far more compromising than say, Reagan ever was and what has it gotten him? The Democrats compare him to Adolph Hitler, condemn No Child Left Behind even though Kennedy got his way on it every step of the way, and fillibuster his judicial nominees as has never been done…

The anti-gay plebicites all over the US passed by bigger majorities than Bush won by, even in the most liberal states. Bush could have won even bigger if he had unambiguously centered his campaing on them instead of being amenable to the Democrats, or appearing so. This compromising may have gotten him control of congress, but it is a congress that is still ….

…still growing more liberal by the day with spending completely out of control. By every measure except security, and the judiciary, Bush is an outright liberal. That is the wrong direction for our country and it is because Bush has been so compromising. Note, Bush has not vetoed one single, solitary bill in 4 years!

Too little space for such a question. Simply: Action speaks louder than words. He should not promote his morally corrupt cabinet; seek a better balance for the Supreme Court; reverse his greed-based non-existent environmental protection laws; and forget about Iraq. That’s decades of work for his attention span. He screwed the pooch on that one. Next term, and we can only pray for minimal losses.

a back at ya, note: By nature, gender drives observations, contemplations, and behavior. Im sure the female lead singers are talented, and also offer good eye-candy, but what about substance? Do they write the lyrics, the music? Just a gender observation.

Space Cowgirl

Bush doesn’t want to reach out – he wants everyone else to cave in to him. Screw that – the only thing that’s ever come of Dems moving right is strengthening the right and weakening the left.

I don’t suspect there’s anything Bush can do to heal wounds quickly. If he reaches out it would have to be in a broad sense, a gradual ease toward compromise. The point is kind of moot, because I see only the opposite happening. He’s purging the CIA, and anyone who has any disagreement with him, which is why I suspect Colin Powell is leaving.

Chthon

I honestly have no idea what the hell will happen.